5 cool Father’s Day gift ideas for Chicago dads
By Jessica Sedgwick June 6, 2012 7:26PM
Art and fashion lovers Brandon Breaux (left) and Juan Sanchez sport T-shirts from their own Ends/Wealth Corp. clothing company. | Richard A. Chapman~Sun-Times
Ends/Wealth Corp.
Pop-Up shop
When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: 660 W. Lake
Twitter: @EndsWealthCorp
Article Extras
Updated: July 8, 2012 6:32PM
1. FOR THE ARTISTIC DAD
It all started with dancing in the streets of Chicago.
In 2005, Brandon Breaux, a DePaul graphic design student at the time, made extra cash dancing in front of Water Tower Place. During a break, Breaux struck up a conversation with Juan Sanchez, a fellow fashion-lover who worked at Nike Town inside Water Tower. The instant friends decided there was a need for a streetwear brand inspired by the City of Chicago, and Ends/Wealth Corp. was born.
“We come from culture, being from Chicago and being into hip-hop culture and being into sneaker culture,” says Breaux. “At first we considered it streetwear, but we like to think we are taking it a step behind that and doing something a little bit different and adding something new to the picture.”
The line of T-shirts and sweatshirts include original art by Breaux and some of his friends. Standouts include the Janet Crewneck, with an illustration of the famous Janet Jackson Rolling Stone cover photo (only this time it’s Popeye’s hands making it a PG photo), and the Eye in the Clouds T-shirt (pictured at right), featuring an illustration by Breaux.
Prices run from $30 to $70 at shop.endswealthcorp.com.
2. FOR THE STYLISH HISTORY BUFF
At this point, few watches stand out in the crowd, but this new military-themed watch from San Francisco-based TOKYObay caught my attention. The sleek leather Slate watch, $163 at Tokyobayinc.com, is based on stencils of ration and weaponry boxes in WWII.
3. FOR THE TECHIE ON THE MOVE
Dad can use GoPro cameras, $299 at Gopro.com, to film his own activities (from biking to parachuting) without anyone having to tag along to record. Plus, the 3D Hero System, $99,is a new accessory that will let dad film 3D video while still recording in 2D.
4. FOR THE DAD WHO NEEDS R&R
Pamper him with one of these Father’s Day package from the Spa @ Equinox: the Mandatory, three 80-minute Swedish massages for $330; Knot an Issue, three 80-minute deep tissue massages, $345, or Best Man, three conditioning facials. Also, the fitness club is open to anyone using the spa, so dad can get in a free workout too. Locations include 200 W. Monroe, 900 N. Michigan, 1750 N. Clark and 799 Central in Highland Park. Book by phone or at Equinox.com/spa.
5. FOR THE LOCAL BEER LOVER
Send your thirsty dad on a brewery tour at Finch’s Beer Co., 4565 N. Elston. For $10 at store.finchbeer.com, you can reserve a spot for dad, and all he has to do is show up. The tour includes a pint glass and bottomless samples of beers, such as the Golden Wing Blonde Ale and Threadless India Pale Ale. And for an added bonus, Finch’s arranges for a food truck to be waiting outside. Upcoming tours are at 3 p.m. June 23 (limited spots available) and July 7.
